Why is selecting multisensory instructional routines important for literacy instruction?

• A. To incorporate VAKT elements
• B. To reduce teacher talk
• C. To increase dependence on phonics drill
• D. To remove manipulatives

Answer: (A)

Engaging multiple senses in literacy instruction helps students form strong connections between letters, sounds, and words. When routines use visual cues for letter shapes, auditory cues for sounds and blending, and kinesthetic/tactile actions for letter formation and movement, learners encode information in several ways and can retrieve it through different pathways. This is what selecting multisensory routines to incorporate VAKT elements achieves, supporting decoding, encoding, and word recognition across diverse learners, including those who struggle with traditional, single-mode approaches. It’s not about cutting back on discussion, or simply drilling phonics, or removing manipulatives; it’s about using hands-on, varied experiences so students can access literacy skills through multiple senses.